2016/09/29 by Nathaniel J. Fuller, Fuller, Nathaniel J., Nicholas A. Licata +1
Physics and Astronomy · #Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph) #Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics (physics.flu-dyn) #Micro and Nano Robotics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1609.09366
openalex publication_date 2016/09/29 · openalex created_date 2022/10/06 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Obtaining a detailed understanding of the physical interactions between a\ncell and its environment often requires information about the flow of fluid\nsurrounding the cell. Cells must be able to effectively absorb and discard\nmaterial in order to survive. Strategies for nutrient acquisition and toxin\ndisposal, which have been evolutionarily selected for their efficacy, should\nreflect knowledge of the physics underlying this mass transport problem.\nMotivated by these considerations, in this paper we discuss the results from an\nundergraduate research project on the advection-diffusion equation at small\nReynolds number and large P 'eclet number. In particular, we consider the\nproblem of mass transport for a Stokesian spherical swimmer. We approach the\nproblem numerically and analytically through a rescaling of the concentration\nboundary layer. A biophysically motivated first-passage problem for the\nabsorption of material by the swimming cell demonstrates quantitative agreement\nbetween the numerical and analytical approaches. We conclude by discussing the\nconnections between our results and the design of smart toxin disposal systems.\n